Wheel cover

ABSTRACT

A wheel cover assembly has a mounting ring, an outer wheel cover, and an inner wheel locking structure. The mounting ring attaches to a vehicle wheel hub via latch mechanisms that latch over an axle flange of the wheel hub. The outer wheel cover has axially-inwardly-extending latches that secure the outer wheel cover to the mounting ring. The inner wheel locking structure includes axially-inwardly-extending latches that pass through openings in the outer wheel cover, securing the outer wheel cover to the mounting ring. The inner locking structure includes latches that pass through openings in the outer wheel cover. This inner locking structure includes locking pins that extend into the locking ring to lock the wheel cover latches to the mounting ring. A pair of inner locking faces on the inner locking structure lock the mounting ring latches to the wheel hub.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a commercial vehicle wheel cover,and more particularly to a wheel cover with an attachment system thatallows ready installation and removal of the wheel cover, yet withsecure fitting.

BACKGROUND

The described wheel covers are applicable to commercial vehicles, forexample trucks, trailers, and buses. A wheel cover is used create a moreaerodynamic shape on commercial vehicles, by filling the void orindentation created by the rims of the wheels. The wheel covers can beinstalled manually by a mechanic, a truck driver, or another person, andgenerally take a significant amount of time to complete installation onall the wheels of a commercial vehicle.

Some wheel covers currently used in the commercial vehicle industry aredifficult and time consuming to install. Installation often requiresspecial hardware, mounting bracketry and tools and does not typicallyallow easy ways for pre-trip inspection. After the wheel covers areinstalled, an operator will likely have to completely uninstall thewheel covers to comply with the pre-trip inspection laws requiring theoperator to inspect the hubs and wheels prior to every trip.

SUMMARY

This application describes a commercial vehicle wheel cover. Thedescribed wheel covers allow for a tool-free installation process andfurther can be easily detached for inspection purposes.

One embodiment of the present commercial vehicle wheel cover includes awheel cover assembly having a mounting ring, an outer wheel cover, aninner wheel latching cover and an inner wheel cover. The inner wheellatching cover is attached to the inner wheel cover, together definingan inner wheel locking structure. The inner wheel locking structure isradially attached to the outer wheel cover, together defining a wheeldisc structure. The wheel cover assembly has an axial outer side and anaxial inner side.

The axial inner side of the wheel cover assembly is adjacent a wheelhub. The wheel cover assembly-mounting ring is attached to the wheel hubvia at least two latch mechanisms which latch over an axle flange of thewheel hub, thereby securing the wheel cover assembly mounting ring in aninitial latching step. Each latch mechanism includes a radially outwardlocking face. The wheel disc structure is positioned adjacent themounting ring, with the wheel disc structure having at least twoaxially-inwardly-extending latches that pass inside receiving cups andlatch through receiving openings in the mounting ring. Each of theaxially-inwardly-extending latches have a radially shallow engagementlip that secures lightly to the mounting ring in a first securing step.

The inner locking structure includes at least twoaxially-outwardly-extending first latches that pass through firstopenings in the outer wheel cover to axially secure the inner lockingstructure to the outer wheel cover. Each first latch includes aradially-inward locking face. The inner locking structure also includesat least two second latches that extend inwardly through second openingsin the outer wheel cover. The inner locking structure second latchesalso include axially-inward-extending lips. The inner locking structurealso includes a plurality of locking pins. The locking pins pass insidethe mounting ring receiving cups, radially contacting the mounting ringreceiving cups and the outer wheel axially inwardly extending latches,thusly securing the wheel disc structure to the mounting ring in a firstlocking step. The inner locking structure axially outwardly extendingfirst cover latches contact the mounting ring latch mechanisms, by wayof the radially outward and radially inward locking faces, thuslysecuring the mounting ring to the wheel hub in a secondary securingstep.

In some examples, the described wheel covers can be used as a commercialvehicle wheel cover that improves the overall aerodynamic shape of avehicle. In some examples, the commercial vehicle wheel covers can berelatively simple to install and can be installed and removed by a userin a relatively short time frame as compared to that of the installationof other wheel covers. In still more examples, the described commercialvehicle wheel covers can be easily removed to provide a user with accessto the hub and tire so that the user can perform the pre-tripinspection, which in some instances, may be required by law. Further,the described commercial vehicle wheel covers may include an attachmentassembly featuring two or more cover pieces fastened together to the hubaxle flange via one or more latch assemblies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of components of a vehicle wheelcover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled vehicle wheelcover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partially assembled vehicle wheelcover assembly and wheel hub in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the assembled vehicle wheel cover assemblyand wheel hub in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 generally designate a commercial vehicle wheel cover 10. Thecover 10 comprises a mounting ring 11, an outer wheel cover 12, an innerwheel cover latching cover 14 and an inner wheel cover 20. Mounting ring11 is generally circular in shape with at least two mounting ringlatches 13 and 13A extending radially inward from near the radial outeredge of mounting ring 11. Mounting ring 11 latches 13 and 13A include atleast two radially outward locking faces 31 and 31A. Mounting ring 11also includes at least two receiving cups 32 and 32A each having atleast one receiving opening 33 and 33A. Outer wheel cover 12, isgenerally round and dome-shaped with first latch openings 15 and 15A andsecond latch openings 17 and 17A. Outer wheel cover 12 includes at leastone wheel hub debris notch 45 to allow debris to exit the wheel hub well46 as well as an outer periphery seal 47 preferably made from athermoplastic elastomer to seal to a wheel rim 48. Outer wheel cover 12also includes at least two latch disengagement recesses 43 and 43A.Outer wheel cover 12 also includes axially inwardly extending latches 34and 34A Inner wheel latching cover 14 includes at least two axiallyoutwardly extending first cover latches 16 and 18 extending from theouter axial edge of inner wheel latching cover 14. First cover latches16 and 18 include radially outward locking faces 35 and 35A. Inner wheellatching cover 14 also has a plurality of second latches 36 and 36Aincluding radially outwardly extending lips 37 and 37A. First coverlatch 16 extends through first opening 15 in outer wheel cover 12 andfirst cover latch 18 extends through first opening 15A in outer wheelcover 12.

The outer wheel cover 12, the mounting ring 11, the inner wheel latchingcover 14 and the inner wheel cover 20 can be made from a polymericmaterial by a molding process, or it can be made from a metallicmaterial by a stamping process.

Wheel cover assembly 10 is comprised of a mounting ring 11, an outerwheel cover 12, an inner wheel latching cover 14 and an inner wheelcover 20. Wheel cover 20 includes a pair of thumb holes 44 and 44A toaid in wheel cover removal. Wheel cover assembly 10 has an axial outerside 50 and an axial inner side 51. Inner wheel cover 20 can be weldedto inner wheel latching cover 14 by way of heat staking, welding orbonding, to form inner wheel structure 40. Inner wheel structure 40 isradially encapsulated to outer wheel cover 12 by second latches 36 and36A engaging through outer wheel cover second openings 17 and 17A. Theradially outwardly extending lips 37 and 37A prevent inner wheelstructure 40 from axially detaching from outer wheel cover 12 duringwheel cover removal. The inner wheel structure 40 and radiallyencapsulated outer wheel cover 12 form wheel disc structure 41.

The axial inner side 51 of the wheel cover assembly 10 is adjacent atractor wheel hub 30. The wheel cover assembly 10 mounting ring 11 isattached to tractor wheel hub 30 by mounting ring 11 latches 13 and 13A,which latch over an axle flange 22 of the wheel hub 30 in an initiallatching step. In the case of a trailer wheel hub (not shown), wheelmounting ring 11 can latch to a hub cap flange (not shown). Wheelmounting ring 11 has sufficient clearance to clear PSI inflation systemscommonly used across trailer fleets.

Wheel disc structure 41 is positioned adjacent mounting ring 11. Wheeldisc structure 41 axially inwardly extending latches 34 and 34A includeradially shallow engagement lips 38 and 38A, which pass through mountingring 11 receiving cups 32 and 32A and secure into receiving openings 33and 33A in a first securing step.

Inner locking structure 40 is pushed axially toward wheel hub 30. Innerlocking structure 40 includes a plurality of locking pins 39 and 39Athat pass axially into retaining ring 11 receiving cups 32 and 32A,radially contacting inside the mounting ring receiving cups 32 and 32Aand radially contacting the outer wheel cover 12 axially inwardlyextending latches 34 and 34A. The locking pins 39 and 39A prevent wheeldisc structure 41 shallow engagement lips 38 and 38A from exitingmounting ring 11 receiving cups 32 and 32A, thusly securing the wheeldisc structure 41 to the mounting ring in a first locking step.

Inner locking structure 40 axially outwardly extending first coverlatches 16 and 18 also include inward locking faces 42 and 42A. Inwardlocking faces 42 and 42A are brought into contact with mounting ring 11latches 13 and 13A, by radially contacting mounting ring 11 radiallyoutward locking faces 31 and 31A, thusly securing the mounting ring 14to the wheel hub in a secondary securing step.

Inner locking structure 40 axially outwardly extending first coverlatches 16 and 18 complete the wheel cover assembly 10 installation,when first cover latches 16 and 18 radially outward locking faces 35 and35A latch inward of outer wheel cover 12 latch disengagement recesses 43and 43A, thusly axially locking inner wheel structure 40 to outer wheelcover 12.

To remove the wheel disc structure 41 from the wheel hub 30, first coverlatches 16 and 18 are pressed and held inwardly to disengage from latchdisengagement recesses 43 and 43A and inner locking structure 40 ispulled axially away from wheel hub 30 by pulling through thumb holes 44and 44A. Once inner locking structure 40 locking pins 39 and 39Awithdraw from receiving cups 32 and 32A, wheel disc structure 41 is freeto disengage from mounting ring 11, as radially shallow engagement lips38 and 38A only create a light latching engagement with mounting ring 11receiving openings 33 and 33A.

Mounting ring 11 and wheel disc structure 41 can be installed andremoved from a wheel hub 30 in a tool-free operation by hand.

Skilled persons will realize that although in the exemplary embodimentshown, the inner locking structure moves axially inward to lock to theouter wheel cover and also locks to the mounting ring, it would bepossible to use the outer wheel cover to lock the inner wheel latchingcover in place. Skilled people will also notice that by manufacturingthe wheel cover using the polymeric material with a molding process, alllatches, features and locks described can all be molded-in, reducingmanufacturing costs and be made flexible enough to easily engage anddisengage when installing or removing, yet remain robustly and sturdilylocked to a commercial vehicle wheel hub flange when in use.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle wheel cover assembly comprising: amounting ring configured to connect to a flange of a wheel hub, an outerwheel cover having an axially inner surface for facing toward the wheelhub and an axially outer surface opposite the axially inner surface, aninner wheel locking structure carried on the outer wheel cover, lockingportions of the mounting ring and the outer wheel cover having anunlocked configuration that permits the outer wheel cover and innerwheel locking structure carried thereon to be connected to the mountingring and a locked configuration that secures the outer wheel cover andthe inner wheel locking structure to the mounting ring, the inner wheellocking structure having an axially outward, unlocked position whereinthe inner wheel locking structure permits the locking portions to shiftfrom the unlocked to the locked configuration, and the inner wheellocking structure having an axially inward, locked position wherein theinner wheel locking structure fixes the locking portions of the mountingring and the outer wheel cover in the locked configuration and securesthe outer wheel cover and the inner wheel locking structure carriedthereon to the mounting ring.
 2. The vehicle wheel cover assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting ring includes at least two latches thatsecure the mounting ring to a flange on a wheel hub.
 3. The vehiclewheel cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer wheel cover includesat least two axially-inward-extending latches that pass through openingsin the mounting ring to secure the outer wheel cover to the mountingring.
 4. The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the innerwheel locking structure includes at least twoaxially-outwardly-extending latches that pass through openings in theouter wheel cover to secure the locking structure to the outer wheelcover.
 5. The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the innerwheel locking structure includes at least twoaxially-outwardly-extending latches each having a lip, wherein the outerwheel cover includes at least two indented sections along an opening ofthe inner wheel cover, and wherein each of theaxially-outwardly-extending latch lips is received in one of the outerwheel cover indented sections to secure the inner wheel lockingstructure to the outer wheel cover.
 6. The vehicle wheel cover of claim1, wherein said mounting ring, inner wheel locking structure and outercover is assembled to a vehicle hub in a tool free operation.
 7. Thevehicle wheel cover of claim 6, wherein said mounting ring, inner wheellocking structure and outer cover is removable from a vehicle hub in atool free operation.
 8. The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 1,wherein the outer wheel cover separates the inner wheel lockingstructure from the mounting ring.
 9. The vehicle wheel cover assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the locking portions of the mounting ring and the outerwheel cover include at least one latch and at least one surface forbeing engaged by the at least one latch.
 10. The vehicle wheel coverassembly of claim 1, wherein the locking portions of one of the mountingring and the outer wheel cover include at least one latch, wherein theother of the mounting ring and the outer wheel cover includes at leastone opening sized to permit the at least one latch to be advanced intothe at least one opening.
 11. The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim1, wherein the inner wheel locking structure and the outer wheel coverinclude stop surfaces that engage to limit axially outward movement ofthe inner wheel locking structure away from the outer wheel cover. 12.The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the lockingportions of the mounting ring and the outer wheel cover in the unlockedconfiguration permit the outer wheel cover and inner wheel lockingstructure carried thereon to be removed from the mounting ring.
 13. Avehicle wheel cover assembly comprising: a mounting ring having aprimary surface configured to contact an axially outer surface of aflange of a wheel hub, an outer wheel cover, and an inner wheel lockingstructure secured to the outer wheel cover, wherein the mounting ringincludes at least two latches that secure the mounting ring to theflange of the wheel hub, the latches of the mounting ring includingradially inwardly extending barbs having secondary surfaces configuredto contact an axially inner surface of the wheel hub flange and retainthe wheel hub flange between the primary and secondary surfaces of themounting ring, wherein the outer wheel cover includes at least oneaxially inward extending latch configured to extend into at least oneopening of the mounting ring, the inner wheel locking structure havingan axially outward, unlocked position wherein the inner wheel lockingstructure permits the at least one axially inward extending latch of theouter wheel cover to extend into the at least one opening of themounting ring, and the inner wheel locking structure having an axiallyinward position wherein the inner wheel locking structure locks the atleast one axially inward extending latch of the outer wheel cover to themounting ring to secure the outer wheel cover to the mounting ring. 14.The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 13, wherein the inner wheellocking structure includes at least two axially inwardly extendinglatches configured to extend into openings in the outer wheel cover tosecure the outer wheel cover to the mounting ring.
 15. The vehicle wheelcover assembly of claim 13, wherein the inner wheel locking coverstructure includes at least two axially outwardly extending latches eachhaving a lip, wherein the outer wheel cover includes at least twoindented sections along an opening of the outer wheel cover, and whereineach of the inner wheel locking structure axially outwardly extendinglatch lips is received in one of the outer wheel cover indented sectionsto secure the outer wheel cover to the inner wheel locking structure.16. The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 13, wherein the at leastone axially inward extending latch of the outer wheel cover includes aplurality of axially inward extending latches, and wherein the at leastone opening of the mounting ring includes a plurality of openings. 17.The vehicle wheel cover assembly of claim 13, wherein the inner wheellocking structure includes at least two latches that pass throughopenings in the outer wheel cover to secure the locking structure to theouter wheel cover.
 18. A vehicle wheel cover comprising: a mount havinga primary surface configured to contact an axially outer surface of anannular flange of a wheel hub; latches of the mount having radiallyinwardly extending barbs having secondary surfaces configured to contactan axially inner surface of the wheel hub and retain the wheel hubflange between the primary and secondary surfaces of the mount; an outerwheel cover having an axially inner surface for facing the wheel hub andan axially outer surface opposite the axially inner surface; an innerwheel locking structure carried on the outer wheel cover; at least onelatch of the outer wheel cover having an unlocked position that permitsthe outer wheel cover and inner wheel locking structure carried thereonto be connected to or removed from the mount and a locked position thatsecures the outer wheel cover and inner wheel locking structure carriedthereon to the mount; the inner wheel locking structure being shiftablefrom an axially outer, unlocked position to an axially inner, lockedposition to fix the at least one latch of the outer wheel cover in thelocked position and secure the outer wheel cover and inner wheel lockingstructure to the mount.
 19. The vehicle wheel cover of claim 18 whereinthe inner wheel locking structure includes at least one latch extendingthrough at least one opening of the outer wheel cover.